The world’s most watched tournament has once again turned the spotlight on soccer, sparking a fresh wave of curiosity that extends far beyond the stadiums. Streaming services are racing to capture that momentum, curating a lineup of documentaries and feature films that delve into the lives of iconic players, historic matches and the cultural fabric that surrounds the sport.
Legends on Screen
On Netflix, the documentary "Pelé" celebrates the Brazilian icon who lifted three World Cup trophies, while the biopic "Pelé: Birth of a Legend" dramatizes the young star’s rise to fame. HBO Max adds depth with an Asif Kapadia‑directed portrait of Diego Maradona, exploring the Argentine’s genius and the controversies that followed.
Underdogs and Unexpected Triumphs
The story of Thomas Rongen’s transformation of American Samoa is the centerpiece of the documentary "Next Goal Wins". The film, later adapted into a narrative feature by Taika Waititi and starring Michael Fassbender, chronicles the team’s improbable climb from perennial losers to victors. Its companion series, "U.S. Against the World", follows the U.S. Men’s National Soccer Team’s ambitious journey toward the 2026 World Cup, a campaign that recently ended in a heartbreaking loss to Belgium.
Other titles enrich the landscape, from the investigative "The Two Escobars" — which intertwines the fates of Colombian striker Andrés Escobar and drug lord Pablo Escobar — to a range of streaming platforms that host everything from archival footage to modern analyses. Each offering reflects a different angle on the beautiful game, whether through the lens of personal triumph, societal impact or historical context.
The surge of soccer‑centric content is more than a seasonal trend; it signals a broader cultural shift where the sport’s narratives are deemed worthy of cinematic exploration. As fans stream these stories, the line between athletic competition and storytelling continues to blur, promising even richer productions in the years ahead.